A group of paddock regulars' penchant for poker stepped into a higher profile at the Hockenheim circuit last weekend.

Apparently, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone accidentally walked in on drivers including Fernando Alonso, Rubens Barrichello, Adrian Sutil and the retired Michael Schumacher playing the card game in the Force India motor home.

Ecclestone is believed to have told the group that they should also play a game in the Hockenheim Paddock Club, no doubt mindful of possible PR benefits.

Sure enough, the Paddock Club poker game did materialise, and Robert Kubica and his manager Daniele Morelli, Nick Heidfeld and his manager Werner Heinz, Flavio Briatore, Giancarlo Fisichella, Vijay Mallya and Bernie himself all put down $1000 apiece and also took part.

Source: GMM